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Administrivia

An anonymous elf writes, "Just as a word of notice, neither DOS Mounter nor the current Access PC work under System 7.0."

Gene Spafford writes, though not to us directly, "On March 2nd, thieves stole 3000 computer chips from one of a major computer manufacturer's California locations. These chips are Intel 386 and 486 CPUs, and were valued at over $1.1 million. Beware of anyone attempting to sell you any quantity of these particular chips, especially if it is at surprisingly reduced price. Authorities believe the thieves will attempt to resell these chips within the US or Canada, probably in the midwest or east coast. These chips can be traced, and anyone buying them may find themselves in trouble - deals too good to be true usually are. If you suspect that someone is attempting to sell you these chips, you are requested to contact your local FBI office (check the phone book for the number), and refer the agent in charge to casefile #87B-SC-15826. I checked with the local FBI office and they couldn't come up with the expected prices. From the numbers, we'd guess that between $300 and $500 per chip, retail, sounds right. This posting refers entirely to Intel brand chips, and not to second source compatible chips. This notice was posted at the request of the FBI." [So watch out for seedy-looking men in trenchcoats in dark alleys who want to sell you a cheap CPU.]

Also for your reading pleasure, the text of Macintosh trainer-to-the-stars John Sculley's letter to George Bush. As usual, I couldn't resist making a few pointed comments.

Dear Mr. President:

I was honored to be with you today for your announcement of the AMERICA 2000 Education initiative. From the first time we met right before your inauguration I have been convinced that no real reform would take place in American education until you seized the day with a call for this kind of comprehensive, dramatic and revolutionary action. The ideas you announced today, after our luncheon, will spark a national, grass-roots movement. You can count on our support. [We'd like to start with some Apple support for our international grass-roots movement for new ROMs. -Ed.]

You announced that you want to learn how to operate a personal computer. Since I know a little about computers I am ready to teach you. It will only take four hours to learn how to operate the Macintosh Classic computer. [Yeah, but try teaching him to use Microsoft Word or PageMaker in that amount of time. -Ed.] This is the computer that was built by a young generation of Americans who wanted to have the power of modern computing, but wanted to have fun with it, too. [Damn right! -Ed.] You can drive this computer, and go wherever you want to, without having to be an auto mechanic. School kids and scientists are right now communicating with each other on the Apple Macintosh. There are hundreds of schools whose kids are linked together via our AppleLink network could have a nationwide conversation.

I have given this same computer to President Gorbachev, and installed it in his office. Jack Kemp, Lamar Alexander, John Sununu, the governors of several states, the King of Thailand and the Presidents of Algeria and Turkey all have Macintosh computers that they use. [But how many of them read TidBITS? -Ed.] I would be delighted to help you with your goal of continuing education in computer operation.

Let me know when you want to start. [Just don't start him off with Missile Command for mouse practice. -Ed.]

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